Quick note to self… Please repeat… More M&M’s will not make you feel better. [...]]]> Woops! I totally forgot I recorded this weeks ago. I’m glad I found it as I haven’t had time to do new recordings since. In addition to the new job, moving, bad back fiasco I now have a sick child. *sigh*

Quick note to self… Please repeat… More M&M’s will not make you feel better. More M&M’s will not make you feel better. More M&M’s will not make you feel better. Now… go make popcorn…. better yet… GO TO BED!

Topics in the video include…

• Cost of that Tummy Tuck/CARBS!
• Snack Attacks
• How to make the gym work for you
• How I Maintain

Links mentioned…

• TuckThatTummy.com
• Whole Grain Banana Pancakes
• Make Your Own 100 Calorie Popcorn
• My Scale Habits

Note: I was writing this last night while waiting for the video to upload. Then I took my own advice and fell asleep before I posted. I did have ONLY 1 handful of M&M’s but that was all! Now I feel wonderful after a good 9 hours of sleep!

Unless you are reading this on Roni's Weigh or your RSS reader, it is stolen content!

OH! I do have to tell you I hit the gym or the first time since the surgery. SO MUCH FUN. I know some of you don’t agree but that hour with nothing but music and weights was just what I needed [...]]]> Need sleep, busy day, early morning, not sure why I’m still up.

OH! I do have to tell you I hit the gym or the first time since the surgery. SO MUCH FUN. I know some of you don’t agree but that hour with nothing but music and weights was just what I needed today.

Unless you are reading this on Roni's Weigh or your RSS reader, it is stolen content!

I can’t stress enough how much I loathed working out in the past. I mean it, really, I hated it. Nothing gave me less pleasure them exercise. Nothing. Of course, I went through all the cycles of motivation and [...]]]> I thought I would take some time to write about my newfound hobby, working out.

I can’t stress enough how much I loathed working out in the past. I mean it, really, I hated it. Nothing gave me less pleasure them exercise. Nothing. Of course, I went through all the cycles of motivation and set unrealistic goals for myself in the past. I remember saying I would get up an hour early every morning and jog. I would do it once and then decide I had enough. I would get all gung ho, join a gym, waste the money and never go. I bought exercise equipment that became permanent fixtures and drying racks for my clothes.

Fast forward to today…

Tonight I went to the gym, brought my book, set the bike for 25 minutes, and when time ran out I actually kept going. After 30 minutes on the bike, I hit the nautilus machines and worked out my lower body. Then the wall, that large confidence-building monstrosity was calling my name. I attempt the inclined side, fell flat on my face, and then got back up to climb the easy side for practice (mark my words I WILL climb that incline and make it to the top to ring that stupid bell, it’s a personal goal). I left with my head held up high, my arms shaking and a sense of accomplishment.

So how did this happen? How does a self-proclaimed exercise hater become a gym rat?

The answer might surprise you.

S-L-O-W-L-Y

Seriously, it’s a journey, just like dieting. You can’t expect to lose weight overnight. You can’t expect to change all of you eating habits overnight. And you can’t expect to change your views of exercise overnight. It’s just not possible. It takes small consistent changes that you can live with and incorporate into your life easily.

I started by making a commitment to shut off the TV on weekends and get outside. That soon turned to taking after dinner walks. I made my stay active “rules” like taking the stairs, parking far away and dancing with the toddler. Soon my dance sessions increased and my walks became more frequent. Then I started doing some organized exercise routines before bed using small hand weights. Finally, I joined the “Y” and now I’m at a point that can’t live without it. The gym is my escape, my time. Two years ago if you have told me that my free time would be spent at a gym I would have said you were crazy. I started my weight loss journey (this successful one, at least) June 2005, that is over 2 years ago and I just started going to the gym 6 weeks ago.

All right, I didn’t plan on such a long post tonight. I was inspired by my awesome work out tonight and I wanted to reflect. I still can’t believe I love the gym! I just can’t believe it!

Unless you are reading this on Roni's Weigh or your RSS reader, it is stolen content!

My first Sensational Sunday started with a bang! A little feel good closet clean up.  I decided to combat my Friday Pizza woes with a feel good clothing purge.  I went [...]]]> I have a new goal.  A goal I hope to get you all to make with me.  A goal to make every Sunday… Sensational!

My first Sensational Sunday started with a bang! A little feel good closet clean up.  I decided to combat my Friday Pizza woes with a feel good clothing purge.  I went through all of my old jeans, wait, let me rephrase that to sound even better, all of my old “skinny jeans” and tried them on.  I would wear these jeans when feeling good and having a little success on my many weight loss journeys.  Jeans I strived to get back into with each weight loss attempt. Jeans I was keeping around because a small part of me didn’t really believe I became the size I am today.  Well I’m happy to say they are gone! I donated them and  said goodbye to that size.  I’m also happy to report that I tried on each pair and as I slipped baggy pair by baggy pair on I felt more and more empowered.  That’s an odd word but it’s true.  I threw away pair after pair of jeans that for the majority of my life I struggled to stay in or strived to get back into.  I threw them away because they are TOO BIG.  Saying that aloud makes it even more real even after trying them on and having them fall off. It truly was a surreal experience. Note: I kept one pair just for those days I don’t recognize how far I’ve come.

In addition to the great jean giveaway, I had a FABULOUS morning with the toddler.  We danced out to the fun punk sounds of the 5.6.7.8’s, made omelets and shared a can of tropical fruit for breakfast.  I love this age! He now pulls up a chair and puts the cheese in his own omelet. It’s just too cute!

Then it was off to the gym for me.  I did 20 minutes on the treadmill and the upper body circuit.  I feel great and can’t believe I’ve become a gym rat. You have NO idea how strange it is for me to say that.  

After the gym, I dropped off the jeans and hit the grocery store to stock up on healthy food for the week.  I came home, finished the laundry, cooked dinner, prepared my lunch for tomorrow and went for an hour long after dinner stroll with the family. It was GREAT! 

So why am I telling you all this. Well, I think motivation is contagious and I think we can start a movement, a movement to begin our weeks, ever week, with a sensational Sunday. If we take just a little time to recognize what we have, where we are, where we’ve been and where we want to be we can set the tone for the week.  I plan to do this every Sunday and I hope you will join me. 

So what do you say? Will you make every Sunday a Sensational Sunday?

Unless you are reading this on Roni's Weigh or your RSS reader, it is stolen content!

Moving on. (notice I didn’t tell you I [...]]]> Seriously how supportive can you guys get? I have to admit I was a little hesitant posting my thoughts on the surgery. It’s the kind of thing many people can be very critical about. I appreciate all your comments, concerns, support and insight. I really do.

Moving on. (notice I didn’t tell you I made a decision yet. ;~) Don’t worry, I’ll keep you posted)

I went to the gym AGAIN today! This time alone. The husband said, and I almost fell over when he did, “why don’t you go while I give the toddler his bath”. I was like, huh? What? You are offering “me” time. So I did what any working mother would do after coming home, cooking dinner and straightening up, I grabbed the keys, the ipod and headed out.

Not only did the husband nudge me to go, but he also complimented me today. Now I don’t know if he just made this up but he said I feel “tighter” as he touched my arm. Is this possible only after a week and half of working out? Don’t you have to put weeks, or even months, to start seeing results. I’m honestly asking because I really don’t know.

Actually now that I think about it seems he is buttering me up for something. I wonder what he wants? Golf this weekend? A new playstation game? It’s gotta be something. ;~)

On the food front, I haven’t been that hungry lately. I thought the opposite would happen since working out but I think returning to work has preoccupied me. I’ll be in my office working, look up and realize it’s 12:30 and I didn’t have any of my snacks. This is unlike me. Normally by noon, I’ve eaten at least one snack and I’d be hungry for lunch. Oh well, I’m not complaining. I’d rather be satisfied than constantly hungry, which is normally how I feel.

The only other thing I want to tell you about is some small site updates. I added a new Produce Picks section. I thought about it and with my addition of Jicama and Mango I want to post about my produce adventures. Especially considering I’m into trying new things, well new for me. There are a few fruits and veggies I find a bit intimidating and I hope it inspires you try some you may currently be scared of. Admit it, there are things you stay away from because you don’t know how to cut them or know they are ripe or just what to do with them. Am I right? Am I right? :~)
I also added a book review link. I’ve been reading a bit more books on food, diet and nutrition and want to share my thoughts. I’ll be posting a new one this week.

Ok, that’s enough, don’t you think? Time for bed. ‘night!

Unless you are reading this on Roni's Weigh or your RSS reader, it is stolen content!